kolonits



March 31, 1964 F. J. KOLONITS 3,126,724

PRESSURE SEAL Filed Jan. 21, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. FRANK J KOLO/V/ T5 ATTORNEY PRESSURE SEAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 21, 1965 INVENTOR FRANK .1. KOLO/V/TS ATTORNEY March 31, 1964 F. J. KOLONlTs 3,126,724

PRESSURE SEAL Filed Jan. 21, 1963 5 heetsh e 3 Z. imi I QUINN. L7

INVENTOR. FRANK J. KOLO/V/ 7'5 ATTORNEY United States Patent @fitice 3,126,724 Patented Mar. 31., 1964 This invention relates to a sealing device and more particularly to a device or apparatus whereby elongated material can be continuously conveyed with little or no leakage between adjacent regions that are characterized by having a pressure differential therebetween. The device is especially useful in pressure-sealing strands of elongated material in fiat-band form as they are continuously passed into and out of a pressure vessel.

The terms strand, strands, structure and structures as sometimes used generically herein are each intended to include within their meaning elongated materials in any form, including monofilaments and multifilaments in yarn, thread, fabric, rod, tape, ribbon, strand, rope, bundle, tow, or other form, and also elongated sheets, films and the like, and which are of continuous (i.e., indefinite) length.

In the preparation of many textile materials or in subjecting them to a finishing treatment, it is often either necessary or advantageous to carry out a particular operation continuously under pressure. For example, elongated filamentary material comprised of a synthetic polymer such as a polymer or copolymer of acrylonitrile or the like is often subjected, while it is moving in a.

continuous path, to a relatively high temperature and pressure in the presence of saturated or wet steam in order to improve its useful properties, e.g., to improve its dye-receptivity, to obviate or minimize fibrillation thereof, etc. The problems encountered in such operations, which are sometimes designated as heat-relaxing or annealing operations, are described in, for example, US. Patents 2,708,843 (especially column 1, line 44, through column 2, line 15) and 2,932,183 (especially column 1, lines 14-59). Such problems include damage to the strand at ports of entry and exit, such damage including abrasion and elongation of the strand due to the friction of dragging the strand past the nonmoving portions of pressure seals; disturbance of the arrangement of the filaments in the strand pattern; difiiculty in maintaining adequate and uniform pressure in the vessel due to loss of the pressurizing medium, e.g., steam, at the entry and exit ports through which the strand passes; inability of the sealing means to handle various thicknesses of material; lack of self-adjustability or slowness of selfadjustability of the sealing means; difficulty of providing an effective sealing unit which is relatively inexpensive, which is simple to construct and operate, which will not be subject to frequent breakdowns, and which will have a relatively long service life; as well as other problems.

An extremely useful pressure seal for minimizing the aforesaid problems is described and claimed in US. Patent No. 3,046,773, issued July 31, 1962. Such pressure seal, however, contains numerous moving parts which must slide relative to each other and, consequently, the substantial power necessary to operate the device must be supplied from an outside power source. Also, since numerous surfaces move by sliding past each other, there is a problem of wear, particularly between the rolls and the closure means or sealing shoes associated therewith. Thus, the pressure seal of US. Patent No. 3,046,- 773, while useful solution to the problems involved, is not perfect and leaves some problems still unsolved.

In copending application Serial No. 57,692, filed Septernber 22, 1960, by Ryuji Yoshiike and assigned to the passingthrough the hollow casing from a zone maintained at one pressure to a zone maintained at a different pressure. The gates are resiliently urged toward their closed positions, and it is against this resilient urging that the gates may be opened when snarls, tangles, etc. in the elongated material reaches such. gates. Into each chamber, fluid, preferably water, is introduced under pressure, which pressure in each chamber is preferably intermediate the pressure in the adjacent chambers or zones. Since the moveable gates or flaps serve to separate the chambers from each other, it is readily apparent that opposite faces of each gate or flap are subjected to different pressures. Where such flaps are canted in the direction of movement of the elongated material passing through such seal, and opened and closed by pivoting movements thereof, it is apparent that the pressure drop across such flaps will also serve to resiliently urge the gates either toward open or closed positions. It should be noted that when such flaps are closed, the pressure differential between adjacent regions is maximized and when such flaps are opened, the pressure differential is minimized. Thus, the variable pressure differentials across such flaps produce variable forces acting on the gate means, which variations are greatest when such flaps are most nearly closed, i.e., in their normal operating positions.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel sealing means or unit for obviating or minimizing leakage from a pressurized region or zone through which a strand of elongated material is being continuously conducted.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable device for sealing material in band form, which device is readily and economically fabricated and is simple to operate.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sealing device which can handle various thicknesses of material and which can be operated so that the pressure on the material passing through the device is adjustable. v

A further object of the invention is to provide a sealing arrangement which is self-adjusting to permit the passage of elongated material of uneven cross section and which will respond rapidly to such uneven cross sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide sealing apparatus through which the strand may be passed while minimizing dragging froces or friction forces to the strand passing therethrough.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a gated sealing apparatus through which the elongated materal may be passed between zones of different pressures while balancing the pressures on opposite sides of each moveable baflle of such gates.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sealing apparatus requiring a minimum of moving parts minimizing wear and eliminating the need for external power sources.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a sealing device which will be substantially free of the aforementioned problems found in previous sealing means.

These objects, and other objects and additional advantages which will become apparent as the specification proceeds are mainly accomplished by the use of a pressure-sealing device comprising a hollow chamber having at least one pair of baffles co-acting to form a gate means canted in the direction of movement of the elongated material through the hollow chamber. In

each such gate means, at least one of the bafiles should be movable between a position where the gate is substantially closed and another position where the gate is relatively open, and such movable bafile should be provided with means for resiliently urging such baflle towards its closed position. Each such gate means may be considered as subdividing the hollow chamber into regions, each of which is supplied with fluid under pressure, the pressure in each such region being intermediate the pressure in the adjacent regions.

In order to provide a balancing of the fluid pressure exerted on opposite sides of each movable baffle, a closure means is provided which effectively seals the space between that end of the battle and is proximate to the corresponding end of the other baffle of the pair comprising a single gate means and the portion of the hollow chamber, remote from such other bafile of the gate means. Communication is provided between one region, a portion of which is defined by one face of the moveable bafile, and a second space, a portion of which is defined by the other face of the same movable baffle and the closure means to permit equalization of the pressure on opposite sides of movable baffle.

For a clearer understanding of this invention and the advantages thereof reference may be had to the following description of a specific embodiment thereof which is presented for the purpose of illustration only. The invention, however, is not limited to the specific details illustrated and described but is intended to include all equivalents encompassed within the scope of the subjoined claims. For such clearer and more detailed understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the following description of a specific embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the following drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pressure seal constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention wherein some parts have been removed for clarity of illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken approximately in the middle thereof; and

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the face of the pressure sealing showing those portions of the device omitted from FIGURE 1.

Referring next to the drawing, there is shown one embodiment of a pressure seal in accordance with this invention which mainly comprises a hollow chamber 11 having openings 12 and 13 at opposite ends thereof and through which a continuous length of elongated matenial 14 is passed in passing through the pressure seal. Hollow chamber 11 generally comprises a pair of end walls 16, 17, a pair of side walls 18, 19, a bottom flange 21 adapted to be mounted on a pressure vessel and containing opening 13, and a top wall 22, which may be configurated to form an overflow vessel 23 and which contains opening 12 therein.

Within hollow chamber 11 there are a plurality of gates 25, subdividing the interior of hollow chamber 11 into a plurality of regions 26, 27, 28. Each of the gates 25 comprises a pair of bafiles 30, 31 which are canted in the direction of movement of the continuous length of elongated material 14, which is downward as illus trated in FIGURE 2. At the proximate ends thereof, baflles and 31 coact to define an opening 33 through which elongated material 14 passes without the loss of significant amounts of pressure therethrough.

It will be noted that at least one of the baffles of each pair comprising gate 25 is movable about pivot 35 in the end remote from opening 33. Movable bafile 31 is provided with a closure means 37 which includes a sealing block 38 rigidly secured to hollow chamber 11 and a sealing shoe 39 which is secured to movable baffle 31. Thus, closure means 37 serves to isolate space 40 between movable bafile 3'1 and side wall 18 from region 28 for a purpose to be described later.

While baffle 30 may also be a movable baffle identical to baffle 31, it is preferred that bafile 30 be a fixed bafile rigidly secured to side wall 18 of hollow chamber 11 and that bafile 30, either alone, or through the use of closure plates 42, isolate region 28 from region 27.

In the specific embodiment illustrated, three gates 25 are shown through which elongated material 14 passes seriatim. Each of these gates serves to separate a pair of zones or regions 25, 27, 28, from each other except through openings 33.

Means is provided for introducing fluid under pressure into the space 40 behind movable baffle 31, which means may be represented by water pipe 44 having valve 45 therein. It will be noted that space 40 communicates with region 27 either above pivot 35 or through orifices 47 in bafile 31, or, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, by both pathways. This serves to permit equalization of the pressure acting on both faces of movable baffles or flaps 31 at all times.

It will be further noted from FIGURE 2 that where a plurality of gates are used and where only one battle of each gate is movable, it is preferred that the movable baffles 31 be disposed on alternate sides of the pathway of elongated material 14 through the pressure seal. This is preferred in order to permit a maximum of independence of the opening of the movable bafiles 31 when knots, snarls, tangles, etc. in the elongated material hits constricted openings 33 and forces movable baffles 31 to open gates 25'.

Referring next to FIGURE 3, it is seen that means is provided for resiliently urging movable bafiles 31 toward their closed positions, which means includes an arm 49 which is keyed to pivot 35 (as is baffle 31) and which is resiliently urged in the desired direction by spring 50 secured to bracket 51. In order to limit the travel of arm 49 and thereby set a minimum size for opening 33, bracket 51 is provided with an adjustable stop 52 which may be in the form of a nut 53 whose end abuts arm 49 and limits the travel thereof.

While the foregoing description with reference to FIG- URES 1, 2, and 3 was of a specific embodiment which is presently preferred utilizing the principles of this invention, it is readily apparent that numerous equivalents exist for the specific details shown. It is expressly intended that such equivalents, insofar as they are included within the scope of the subjoined claims, are to be considered as part of this invention.

Among such alternatives may be mentioned the following: Movable baffles 31, instead of pivoting about pivot 35, may be movable by a transverse sliding motion toward and away from stationary baffie 30 to vary the size of opening 33. Closure means 37, instead of being provided by sealing block 38 and sealing shoe 39, may be provided by the use of other sealing mechanisms, such as a bellows, one end of which is secured to the proximate end of movable baffle 31, and the other end of which is secured to side wall 19 or to closure plate 42 of the next adjacent fixed bafile .30. Instead of spring 50 acting through arm 49, the means for resiliently urging bafile 31 toward its closed position may be pneumatically or hydraulically actuated piston operating on an external arm, such as 49, or acting directly on baffie 31 within hollow chamber 11. While the fluid under pressure utilized for completing the seal preferably is Water, other liquids may be used or additives may be supplied to such liquids for the purpose of imparting to the elongated material treatment therewith, such as anti-static agents, lubricants, dye solutions, detergents, etc. as may be desired.

While the foregoing pressure seal has been illustrated and described with reference to elongated material 14 moving downwardly therethrough, it is obvious that similar equipment can be used where it is desirable for elongated material 14 to move upwardly therethrough, the

principal changes being in a reversal of the direction of canting of the fixed and movable bafiies so they will continue to cant in the direction of movement of the elongated material through the pressure seal.

1 claim:

1. A pressure-sealing device adapted to permit the continuous passage therethrough along a defined pathway of a continuous length of elongated material from a first zone maintained at one pressure to a second zone maintained at a second pressure, said device comprising:

(a) a hollow chamber surrounding said defined pathway and having openings therein communicating with said two zones, said hollow chamber being adapted to contain liquid therein;

(5) gate means within said hollow chamber subdividing it into a plurality of regions, such gate means comprising a movable baflle and mating baffle canted in the direction of movement of said elongated material along said defined pathway and, at their proximate ends, defining an opening through which said elongated material passes;

(0) support means for supporting at least said movable baffle for movement of its proximate end toward and away from said defined pathway and the proximate end of said mating baffle to vary the size of said opening;

(d) closure means for sealing the space between the proximate end of said movable bafile and said hollow chamber on the side thereof remote from said defined pathway;

(2) means for resiliently urging the proximate end of said movable hafile toward said defined pathway to const-rict said opening; and

(f) means for introducing fluid under equal pressure to both sides of said movable baffle.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a pivotable mounting for the end of said movable bafile remote from said defined pathway.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said closure means includes a sealing block secured to said hollow chamber and a sealing shoe secured to said movable baffle.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for introducing fluid under equal pressure to both sides of said movable baflie includes orifices in said movable baffle interconnecting the spaces adjacent each side of said movable baflie.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including adjustable stop means for limiting the movement of said movable bafile under the influence of said means for resiliently urging said baffle, said stop means serving to prevent complete closure of said opening.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said mating baifle is rigidly secured to said hollow chamber to seal the space between it and the hollow chamber on the side 6 remote from said defined pathway and said movable baflle.

7. A pressure-sealing device adapted to permit the continuous passage therethrough along a defined pathway of a continuous length of elongated material from a first zone maintained at one pressure to a second zone maintained at a second pressure, said device comprising;

(a) a hollow chamber surrounding said defined pathway and having openings therein communicating with said two zones, said hollow chamber being adapted to contain liquid therein;

(b) a plurality of gate means within said hollow chamber subdividing it into a plurality of regions, each such gate means comprising a movable baffle and mating bafiie canted in the direction of movement of said elongated material along said defined pathway and, at their proximate ends, defining a plurality of openings through which said elongated material passes;

(c) a plurality of support means for supporting at least said movable baffle of each said gate means for movement of its proximate end toward and away from said defined pathway and the proximate end of its said mating baflie to vary the size of the opening therebetween;

(d) a plurality of closure means for sealing each of the spaces between the proximate end of each said movable battle and said hollow chamber on the side thereof remote from said defined pathway;

(2) means for resiliently urging the proximate end of each said movable baffle toward defined pathway to constrict said openings; and

(f) means for introducing fluid under equal pressure to both sides of each of said moavble bafiles and at differing pressures adjacent the movable battles of different gate means.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the said mating baflie of each said gate means is rigidly secured to said hollow chamber to seal the space between it and the hollow chamber on the side remote from said defined pathway and the mating bafiles of adjacent gate means are disposed on opposite sides of said defined pathway.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for introducing fluid under pressure includes means for introducing such fluid at a relatively higher pressure to the region nearest the zone of higher pressure to the region nearest the zone of lower pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 890,252 Thompson June 9, 1908 1,371,914 Lewis Mar. 15, 1921 2,367,174 Renkin Jan. 9, 1945 2,977,186 Duff Mar. 28, 1961 3,046,773 Healey July 31, 1962 

1. A PRESSURE-SEALING DEVICE ADAPTED TO PERMIT THE CONTINUOUS PASSAGE THERETHROUGH ALONG A DEFINED PATHWAY OF A CONTINUOUS LENGTH OF ELONGATED MATERIAL FROM A FIRST ZONE MAINTAINED AT ONE PRESSURE TO A SECOND ZONE MAINTAINED AT A SECOND PRESSURE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING: (A) A HOLLOW CHAMBER SURROUNDING SAID DEFINED PATHWAY AND HAVING OPENINGS THEREIN COMMUNICATING WITH SAID TWO ZONES, SAID HOLLOW CHAMBER BEING ADAPTED TO CONTAIN LIQUID THEREIN; (B) GATE MEANS WITHIN SAID HOLLOW CHAMBER SUBDIVIDING IT INTO A PLURALITY OF REGIONS, SUCH GATE MEANS COMPRISING A MOVABLE BAFFLE AND MATING BAFFLE CANTED IN THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID ELONGATED MATERIAL ALONG SAID DEFINED PATHWAY AND, AT THEIR PROXIMATE ENDS, DEFINING AN OPENING THROUGH WHICH SAID ELONGATED MATERIAL PASSES; (C) SUPPORT MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AT LEAST SAID MOVABLE BAFFLE FOR MOVEMENT OF ITS PROXIMATE END TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID DEFINED PATHWAY AND THE PROXIMATE END OF SAID MATING BAFFLE TO VARY THE SIZE OF SAID OPENING; (D) CLOSURE MEANS FOR SEALING THE SPACE BETWEEN THE PROXIMATE END OF SAID MOVABLE BAFFLE AND SAID HOLLOW CHAMBER ON THE SIDE THEREOF REMOTE FROM SAID DEFINED PATHWAY; (E) MEANS FOR RESILIENTLY URGING THE PROXIMATE END OF SAID MOVABLE BAFFLE TOWARD SAID DEFINED PATHWAY TO CONSTRICT SAID OPENING; AND (F) MEANS FOR INTRODUCING FLUID UNDER EQUAL PRESSURE TO BOTH SIDES OF SAID MOVABLE BAFFLE. 